New idea for a thread since news is posted throughout spoiler, Smackdown and Raw threads, even some that aren't spoilers are posted in the spoiler thread, so it's a new idea for a thread.
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8/24
8/25
8/26
8/27
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Whenever new news is posted in this thread (as long as it isn't legitimate spoilers, which belong in the spoiler thread) I will update the OP. New thread will be up every Monday from here on out for the week.
This also doesn't just have to be WWE news. It can be anything in the world of wrestling. Spoilers for other promotions need [SPOIL] tags, WWE/NXT spoilers need to go in the spoiler thread.
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8/24
- The initial plan for Finn Balor as Universal champion was to work with Kevin Owens at Clash of Champions and then work against Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho in a triple-threat match at the 10/30 HIAC PPV.
8/25
- Per Meltzer, Orton didn't know of the match finish vs. Lesnar until he got to the arena. The match was intended to be one-sided destruction for Lesnar to make him look stronger rather than having a back-and-forth match. It was supposed to look like Lesnar "went against the script" and go into business for himself.
Orton was told Lesnar knew how to cut someone open by grazing them with his elbow, but clearly that wasn't the case as Lesnar stiffed him. Orton stayed down and sold being knocked out like he was supposed to, but that likely wasn't the finish, and so few people knew what the actual finish and intention of the match was supposed to be that the referee called the match.
One person noted that Orton was told to do it, but didn't expect it to go down that way. He wasn't going to complain publicly, but he wasn't thrilled to do it and won't do any favours like that again.
- AJ Styles was initially penciled in to win the Universal Title at Summerslam. Originally, the idea was that the WWE title would be on the Raw brand and the Summerslam match would be Reigns vs. Rollins, but Reigns suspension changed that. Balor vs. Jericho would have happened instead if Reigns didn't get suspended.
- Charlotte was yelled at for being careless in her match with Sasha Banks at Summerslam, who was already hurt to begin with heading into the match and taking a month off to heal the injuries.
- Alberto Del Rio is not expected to stay with the company as he has an opt-out in his contract in September. Paige's contract goes to April 2019, and unless she's fired, she's sticking around.
- The Dudley Boyz had a verbal agreement with WWE to return for another year and were in the midst of a breakup angle, but the deal was never executed and the two parties parted ways. WWE wants to bring up more guys from NXT to fill out rosters and push more youth. The Dudleyz will likely be working the independents, and if TNA's financial situation calls for it, could return to the company.
- Many within WWE remain high on Big Cass and see money when they look at him.
- Baron Corbin vs. Kalisto was originally planned for Summerslam as well, but had to be scrapped due to the show having 13 matches.
- WWE was unable to get a trademark on the term "Lady Balls".
- The original plan after Summerslam was that Reigns and Rollins would be kept out of the title picture for some time.
8/26
- Sasha Banks was going to have a long run with the title until her back injury threw a wrench in those plans. Bayley is now the top face and contender in the Raw division. She originally wasn't going to be hotshot into the title picture upon her debut. That said, Vince is a big fan of Bayley and sees a lot of AJ Lee in her.
- The Usos are expected to turn heel and feud with American Alpha over the titles.
- TNA is building to a "Final Deletion II: Death or Decay" featuring The Broken Hardys against Abyss & Crazzy Steve. it's said to be even more insane than the first one and some "crazy" footage was already shot.
- Bo Dallas was kicked off a flight for being intoxicated and loudly singing The Lion King theme song.
8/27
- Nikki Bella's return is the reason Bayley ended up on Raw. Nikki is on Smackdown to give the show's women division a boost and because it's the show John Cena is on.
- Konnor [The Ascension] officiated Sasha Banks' wedding.
- Paige VanZant (UFC) is open to working with WWE.
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Whenever new news is posted in this thread (as long as it isn't legitimate spoilers, which belong in the spoiler thread) I will update the OP. New thread will be up every Monday from here on out for the week.
This also doesn't just have to be WWE news. It can be anything in the world of wrestling. Spoilers for other promotions need [SPOIL] tags, WWE/NXT spoilers need to go in the spoiler thread.
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